The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-11
ON HIS coUNTRY's ALTAR.


FARHER'~ SACRIFICE.
From the Philadelphia Dsiiy News.
4 Tvcoming eoanty farmer. blessed by
the possession of broad acres and Eat eat
tie, and fatier bank account, had given
his five sons-fnore precious than all else
beside--that the Union might be presery-
ed Efis name was Rankin. His wife
was dead and his boys were his only 90
lace but when war was declared be felt
a. did Volumnia, the mother Of CoriOla-
nus, when she said, Had dozen sons,
each ia nay love alike, had rather have
eleven die nobly Tor their country than
one voiuptuously serfeit out Of action
So the Rankin boys went 70 confront
grim-yisaged war. The life-blood Of two
of them made more fertile the rank
groth Of the Peninsula, and their bodies
lay unclaimed amid the thousands who
had gone down in the shock of battle.
The bowed but not broken father came
TO the Governors Office in Harrisburg
with his tale Of woe. Andrew G. Curtin
never turned deaf ear 70 such as he.
lie said
You are too old man to goafter your
sons bodies | will send messenger for
them and you can rest assured that you
will be enabled to give them burial
And this was done.
- g.. .-...,I e nF.v.-o..u.
the aged farmer again entered the Exec
utive Chamber, and, without saying a
word, seated himself The Governor rec
ognized him at once, and thought
Can it be that this old man has been
afflicted again p
He babe him approach The visitors
voice was broken, but his tears did not
fall a. he said
Governor, another of them has gone
For moment Governor Curtin could
not speak He silently wrung the horny
hand of the despoiled father. When he
found voice, he said
You must not go; will send for him.
You shall see him again.
And this was done
When the news of the battle of Gettys-
burg reached Harrisburg Governor Cur
tin travelled rapidly across the country
and viewed that memorable conflict. At
ter It's conclusion he returned 10 Harris
burg and was seated late at night in his
room, when again Mr. Rankin entered
without a word, and silently seated him
self upon chair.
My God, thought Mr.. Curtin, it can
not be that the blow has fallen upon this
old man again
He could not bring himself TO ask the
question, and for fully fifteen minutes the
two men sat in that room, their heads
upon their hands, and neither uttered
word At last the old man said, as he
steadied his voice
Governor, the other two are gone
The other two This is terrible.
Yes, Governor, the other two. They
have taken them ALL
He wished pass 70 enter the lines,
that ne might bring home his silent
sons
You are too old, said the anguished
Governor. will send for them, and
they shall be taken home
And this was done.
After Governor Curtin had returned to
this country at the close of his five years
residence at tine court Of Russia, he was
in Philadelphia when it was intimated
10 him that Mr. Rankin, who was still
alive, would be highly delighted if his
benefactor would pay him visit when
the ex-lIinister was on his way to his
home in Centre county. Mr. Curtin said
that ne would comply with the wish, and
when he reached the railroad station
nearest to the Lycoming county farmers
home, he found the old man waiting for
him with carriage That evening the
people of the surrounding country, at
Mr.. Rankin's bidding, tiocke 10 do hon
or to the Ex-Governor. The next morn
ing, after lk.rtaking of breakfast such
as only Pennsylvania farm house can
produce, the aged agrieulturist invited
Mr.. Curtin to join MIN in walk. He led
the way to q wooded knoll near the house,
and atop of which was beautifully
sOdded inclosure, surrounded by an iron
railing and within il were five mounds
and live headstones. The Old man point
ed toward them, and simply sal
Governor, there they he
Both men bowed their heads, and nei-
ther uttered word. In a few moments
Mr. Rankin turned away with CHEEKY
remark about the surrounding country.
and from that moment during the two
days festivities that succeeded Mr.. Cur
tins arrival, the desolate father never
referred to his sleeping sons Pathetic,
=.